Electrical bubbling toy



Jan. 11, 1966 c. ROUSE ELECTRICAL BUBBLING TOY Filed Jan. 17, 1963 INVENTOR CALVIN ROUSE ATTOR N EYS.

Unitcd States Patent 3,228,136 ELECTRICAL BUBBLING TOY Calvin Rouse, 87-26 166th St., Jamaica 32, N.Y. Filed Jan. 17, 1963, Ser. No. 252,202 2 Claims. (Cl. 46-8) This invention relates to improvements in soap bubble toys and the like.

In particular, the invention relates to improvements in toys of the general type in which a tube is dipped into a reservoir or well containing a soap bubble solution or the like, and in which air is forced through the raised tube to eject a succession of bubbles therefrom.

One object of this invention is to provide a toy of the above-described type, wherein the casing simulates the appearance of a penguin or other bird, an animal or the like, and wherein the bubbles are emitted from the open mouth of the figure.

Another object of this invention is to provide a bird or animal-simulating bubble toy wherein the motive power can be provided even with the figure at rest, and without the need for wheeled propulsion thereof.

Another object of the invention is to provide a bird or animal-simulating bubble toy, as above described, having control means for the tube and for the air supply means which can be actuated by simple manipulation of an external appendage of the figure, such as an arm.

Another object of the invention is to provide improved air blower means for a bubble toy of the above-described t e.

In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention, the toy comprises a hollow, headed body simulating in appearance a penguin or the like. The head of the body has a walled mouth compartment opening at its front to the outside, and the mouth compartment has a bottom Well for reception of soap solution and the like. A hollow tube is pivotally mounted adjacent one end thereof to the rear mouth compartment wall opposite the mouth compartment opening and above the well for movement between a tube dipped position in which it extends forwardly downwardly from its pivot into the well for reception of solution in the front tube end and a blowing position in which the tube is elevated above the well and aligned with the mouth opening.

The rear wall of the mouth compartment has an air opening aligned with the tube in blowing position thereof.

In order to supply air to the tube through the mouth compartment rear wall opening, the hollow body is provided with an internal electric power source such as batteries. An electric motor is also located within the body, and the batteries are coupled through an on-off switch to the electric motor. An air blower or fan is located in the body opposite an air intake hole in the body wall. The air blower is operatively coupled to the electric motor so that when the switch is closed, air is drawn by the fan through the intake hole and hence forced through the mouth compartment rear wall opening and hence through the tube when in blowing position so as to eject soap bubbles through the open mouth.

An arm is externally hingedly connected to the body, simulating the flipper of a penguin. This arm is mova ble between first and second positions. The arm is operatively connected both to the tube and to the movable switch arm of the switch so as to turn the switch on and move the tube to blowing position by movement of the arm to its first position, and to turn the switch off and move the tube to dipped position, by movement of the arm to its second position.

An important advantage of the invention is its ease of operation, as well as its use of simple standard parts for the air supply. A return spring can bias the arm to its second position. In this position, the switch is open and the tube is dipped into the solution. To blow bubbles, it is merely necessary to move the arm to its first position and hold it there, in which position the tube is raised and air is forced through the tube to eject bubbles through the open mouth of the figure, At any desired time, such as when more solution is needed in the tube, the arm is simply released and returns to its normal position, the toy being then instantly ready for further operation.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description, in conjunction with the annexed drawing, in which a preferred embodiment of the invention is disclosed.

In the drawing,

FIG. 1 is a side elevation of the improved toy, showing it emitting soap bubbles and showing the operating arm depressed to operating position. The operating arm is shown in phantom view in its normal raised position.

FIG. 2 is a rear elevational view of the toy.

FIG. 3 is a front elevational view of the toy.

FIG. 4 is a section on line 4-4 of FIG. 3 showing the toy in operating position corresponding to FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary view similar to FIG. 4, showing the toy after the operating arm has been released, with the toy now in inactive condition.

Upon reference to the drawing in detail, it will be noted that it shows a toy having a hollow casing 10 illustratively simulating the appearance of a penguin. However, it will be apparent from the following description that the appearance of any other suitable bird or animal may be simulated. Casing 10 has a body 9, a pair of legs 11 and 12 fixed to opposite sides of body 9, near the bottom thereof, as well as a rearwardly extending tail 13. The legs 11 and 12 and tail 13 are arranged with their bottom surfaces generally coplanar and spaced apart to provide three point support for the toy when it rests upon a horizontal surface, the 'body 9 then being generally erect and vertically elongated.

Casing 10 is further shaped to form a hollow head 14, the interior of which is in communication with the interior of body 9. The front portion of head 14 is shaped and arranged to form a mouth compartment 15 having a front wall 16 and a rear wall 17, as well as side walls 18 and bottom wall 20. Such compartment is shaped and cooperative with the top wall 14a of head '14 to serve as a compartment completely sealed from the interior spaces of head 14 and body 9, with the exception of an air aperture 21 in rear mouth compartment wall 17. Front wall 16 is cut away at its top, below head top wall 14a, and the side walls 18 are provided with triangular cuts, such that the top edge 18a of each wall 18 slopes downwardly forwardly from a point of connection with wall 17 and wall 14a at the junction thereof. The front end of edge 18a connects with the top edge of wall 16. The arrangement of walls 18 and wall 16, accordingly, is such as to provide a front mouth opening 22. As shown in the drawing, the edges 18a and the upper edge of front compartment wall 16, as well as the lower edge of head top wall 14a, may be serrated in the mouth area to form teeth 23, for decorative purposes.

Mouth compartment '15 is shaped to provide a well or reservoir 24 below the level of mouth opening 22, and also below the level of aperture 21. This reservoir 24 is adapted to be filled with a conventional liquid soap solution 25 of the type used in bubble blowing.

Hollow cylindrical dip tube 30 is disposed within mouth compartment 22 and may be considered as ex tending from rear to front or generally longitudinally. Tube 30 is connected adjacent its rear, by lateral pivot 31, to one or both of the mouth compartment side walls 18. Lever 32is fixed to the rear end of tube 30, in general alignment with the axis thereof, and extends through opening 21. The rear end of lever 32 is bent downwardly at 32a relative to the front portion of lever 32. The bottom end of lever 32a may be moved downwardly to raise tube 30 to its blowing position shown in FIG. 4, and may be moved upwardly to move tube 30 to its dipped position shown in FIG. 5.

In the dipped position of tube 30, it extends forwardly downwardly from its pivot 31 into well 24, and hence into the solution 25 for reception of soap solution within the front part of the bore of tube 30. In the elevated or blowing position of tube 30, it is entirely clear of well 24 and solution 25. Furthermore, tube 30 is then preferably slightly inclined forwardly upwardly from its pivot 31. Further, wall 17 is upwardly rearwardly inclined so that in the blowing position of tube 30 it is substantially transverse to the wall 17. Further, in the raised position of tube 30 its bore is aligned with air aperture 21, and the rear end of tube 30 is located at the aperture to insure maximum transfer of air through aperture 21 and into the bore of the tube. Preferably, the diameter of aperture 21 is approximately the same as the diameter of tube 30. Also, in the blowing position of tube 30, its front end is aligned with the front end of mouth opening 22, the bore of tube 30 being thereby positioned to emit bubbles between the upper edge of wall 16 and the lower front edge of wall 14a. Preferably, the front end of tube 30 is then located slightly rearwardly of the wall 16 for somewhat more realistic efiect.

Electric motor 40 is fixedly mounted within body 9 intermediate the upper and lower ends thereof. Said motor 46 is supported by an conventional bracket 41 secured by fastening means 42 of any conventional type to one of the sides of the cavity of body 9. Motor 40 is oriented so that its output shaft 43 extends rearwardly therefrom and is slightly inclined upwardly rearwardly. A fan shaft 44 is fixed to shaft 43 and extends rearwardly thereof and in alignment therewith. Shaft 44 carries a rear hub 45 and radially extending fan blades 46, optionally four in number. These blades 46 are close to the rear wall 9a of body 9. Said rear wall 9a is slightly forwardly upwardly inclined so that shaft 44 is substantially transverse thereto. Said body rear wall 9a has an air intake aperture 47 of diameter slightly smaller than fan diameter and in alignment with shaft 44. The blades 46 are disposed so that rotation thereof in the clockwise direction of arrow (as viewed from the rear) draws air inwardly through aperture 47, in the direction of arrows 49, and forces such air upwardly from the fan in the direction of arrows 50. Since the body is closed, except for air intake aperture 47 and aperture 21, it will be apparent that the air drawn by the fan will be forced through aperture 21 and hence into tube 30 in its blowing position.

Any appropriate power source for motor 40 may be provided. Preferably, to assure portability of the toy, such power supply is self-contained. Optionally, the power supply may comprise a pair of dry cell batteries 51 and 52 connected in series and disposed within the lower part of body 9. Optionally, body 9 may be provided with any suitable bottom access opening (not shown) to provide for replacement to the batteries. The negative terminal of battery 52 is connected by lead 53 to one input terminal 54 of motor 40. The other terminal 55 of motor 40 is connected by lead 56 to a fixed terminal on the front body wall 9b. This fixed terminal may optionally take the form of a screw threaded stud 57 fixed to wall 911 and extending inwardly thereof, somewhat above the level of motor 40, as well as a mounting nut 58 screwed onto stud 57 and against wall 9b. Lead 56 may be soldered or otherwise secured to nut 58.

The positive terminal of battery 51 is connected by lead 59 to a spring switch contact having a base 60 fixed by any suitable mounting member 61 to the inside of body wall 9b above fixed contact post 57. Such lead 59 may be soldered or otherwise secured to the spring contact base 60. The lower portion of base 60 is bent downwardly rearwardly at 62 to provide a movable spring contact. As shown in FIG. 5 the free end of spring contact 62 is normally spacedly above stud 57. As shown in FIG. 4, the contact 62 may be depressed downwardly against the stud 57 to close the on-ofr switch and complete the power circuit of motor 40 for operation of the fan.

In order to control the switch movement and tube movement, external appendages in the form of arms are pivotally mounted on opposite sides of body 9 above legs 11 and 12. Lateral shaft '71 extends through body 9 and is journaled in the side thereof by any suitable means. Arms 70 are respectively fixedly mounted on the ends of shaft 71, outside of body 9. Said arms 70 are illustratively shown as assuming identical positions. However, it will be understood that the arms may assume different orientations, and in fact only one arm 71) is necessary for mechanical operation of the toy. Accordingly, further description will be with reference to the single arm 70 visible in FIGS. 1 and 4. Said arm 70 extends forwardly from pivot 71 and protrudes forwardly of the front wall 9b of body 9.

Block 72 is fixed to shaft 71 within body 9. In the position of FIG. 5, block 72 extends generally upwardly from shaft 71. Coil spring 73 connects between the rear upper end of block 72 and the rear body wall 9a. Spring 73 normally maintains body 72 in its position of FIG. 5, in which position arm 70 is forwardly upwardly inclined from its pivot shaft '71, as shown in full lines in FIG. 5 and in broken lines in FIG. 1.

An elongated link 74 is pivotally connected at its upper end, by means of a conventional eye arrangement 75, to the rear end of lever 32a. Said link 74 extends generally forwardly downwardly from the rear end of lever 32a (in the position of FIG. 5). The lower portion of link 74 is downwardly rearwardly bent at 74a, the lower end of link 74a being turned laterally and connected pivotally, by any suitable means, to disc 75 fixedly mounted on shaft 71. In the position of FIG. 5, the point of connection of link 74a to disc 75 is in the upper front quadrant of the disc. This corresponds to the elevated position of link 74 and corresponding dipped position of tube 30.

When arm 70 is lowered from its full line position of FIG. 5 to its depressed position of FIGS. 1 and 4, spring 73 is elongated and placed under tension. Also, disc 75 is correspondingly rocked in counterclockwise direction, as viewed in FIGS. 4 and 5, thereby lowering link 74 and elevating tube 30 to blowing position. Furthermore, the depressing of arm 70 causes counterclockwise movement of block 72 to its position of FIG. 4, in which it extends generally forwardly from shaft 71. In this position, the front of block 72 strikes the rear face of contact 62 and depresses it into operative engagement with the fixed contact 57 to close the switch.

Upon release of arm 70, spring 73 returns block 72 to its position shown in FIG. 5, thereby opening the switch, lowering tube 30 to dip position, and raising arm 70 to its broken line position of FIG. 1.

From the foregoing, it will be apparent that operation of the toy is extremely simple. It is merely necessary to apply the thumb to arm 70 to depress it, thereby raising tube 30 out of the soap solution to blowing position, and turning on the fan so as to force air through the tube and blow bubbles 81 out of the open mouth in the direction of arrow 82. This blowing action may be continued until the supply of soap solution in tube 30 is exhausted, or may be discontinued at any time by releasing arm 70. In any event, when arm 70 is released, spring 73 returns the arm to elevated position, and at the same time tube 30 is returned to dipped position and the fan is turned off.

While I have disclosed a preferred embodiment of the invention, and have indicated various possible changes, omissions and additions which may be made therein, it will be apparent that various other changes, omissions and additions may be made in the invention without departing from the scope and spirit thereof.

What is claimed is:

1, A bubble toy simulating a limbed creature emitting bubbles from its month, said toy comprising a simulated lirnbed creature comprising a hollow headed body, the head of the body having a walled mouth compartment opening at its front to the outside, said mouth compartment having a bottom well for reception of soap solution and the like, a hollow tube pivotally mounted adjacent one end thereof to the Wall of said mouth compartment adjacent the rear compartment wall and above the Well for movement between tube dipped position in which it extends forwardly downwardly from its pivot into the well for reception of solution in the tube and tube blowing position in which said tube is elevated above said well and aligned with said mouth opening, the rear wall of said mouth compartment having an air aperture aligned with said tube in blowing position thereof, an electric motor in said body, an electric power source in said body, means including an on-oif switch having a movable spring contact biased to switch off condition coupling said power source to said electric motor, an air blower in said body, means operatively coupling said electric motor to said air blower, said body having a body air intake aperture extending from the outside to its interior, said air blower being continuously operative while said switch is on to move air from said body aperture to and through said mouth compartment rear wall aperture and hence through said tube when in blowing position to eject soap bubbles through said front mouth compartment opening, an arm externally pivotally connected to said body and movable between first and second positions, means respectively operatively connecting said arm to said tube and to said movable contact to move and maintain said contact in switch on condition and to move and maintain said tube in blowing position by movement and maintenance of said arm in its first position and to release said movable contact and to move said tube to dipped position by movement of said arm to its second position, and spring means coupling said arm and said body and normally maintaining said arm in its second position.

2. A bubble toy simulating a limbed creature emitting bubbles from its mouth, said toy comprising a hollow casing simulating the body and head of said limbed creature, an arm pivotally mounted on the outside of said body and simulating an appendage of said limbed creature, said arm being pivotable between first and second positions and biased to second position, said head having a mouth portion with upper and lower jaws spaced to define a mouth opening, and a partition wall at the rear of said jaws shaped to define a mouth compartment forwardly of said wall and separated by said wall from the remaining interior space of said casing, said bottom jaw being shaped to define a well open at the top of said bottom jaw for reception of soap solution and the like, a hollow tube pivotally mounted adjacent one end thereof within said mouth adjacent said wall and above said well for movement between tube dipped position in which it extends forwardly downwardly from its pivot into the well for reception of solution in the tube and tube blowing position in which said tube is elevated above said well and aligned with said mouth opening, said wall having an air aperture aligned with said tube in blowing position thereof, an electric fan and an electric power source for said fan in said body, normally open switch means coupling said power source and said fan, said body having a through body air intake aperture, said fan being continuously operative while said switch means is closed to move air from said body aperture to and through said wall aperture and hence through said tube when in blowing position to eject soap bubbles through said mouth opening, means respectively operatively coupling said arm to said tube and to said switch means to close and maintain closed said switch means and move and maintain said tube in blowing position by movement and maintenance of said arm in its first position and to release said switch means and to move said tube to dipped position by movement of said arm to its second position.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,454,799 5/1923 Usher 46116 X 1,73 3,478 10/1929 Warham 468 2,675,641 4/1954 Baggott 468 3,093,925 6/ 1963 Greene 468 3,100,947 8/ 1963 Hellman 468 FOREIGN PATENTS 624,979 4/ 1927 France.

RICHARD C. PINKHAM, Primary Examiner. 

2. A BUBBLE TOY SIMULATING A LIMBED CREATURE EMITTING BUBBLES FROM ITS MOUTH, SAID TOY COMPRISING A HOLLOW CASING SIMULTATING THE BODY AND HEAD OF SAID LIMBED CREATURE, AN ARM PIVOTALLY MOUNTED ON THE OUTSIDE OF SAID BODY AND SIMULATING AN APPENDAGE OF SAID LIMBED CREATURE, SAID ARM BEING PIVOTABLE BETWEEN FIRST AND SECOND POSITIONS AND BIASED TO SECOND POSITION, SAID HEAD HAVING A MOUTH PORTION WITH UPPER AND LOWER JAWS SPACED TO DEFINE A MOUTH OPENING, AND A PARTITION WALL AT THE REAR OF SAID JAWS SHAPED TO DEFINE A MOUTH COMPARTMENT FORWARDLY OF SAID WALL AND SEPARATED BY SAID WALL FROM THE REMAINING INTERIOR SPACE OF SAID CASING, SAID BOTTOM JAW BEING SHAPED TO DEFINE A WALL OPEN AT THE TOP OF SAID BOTTOM JAW FOR RECEPTION OF SOAP SOLUTION AND THE LIKE, A HOLLOW TUBE PIVOTALLY MOUNTED ADJACENT ONE END THEREOF WITHIN SAID MOUTH ADJACENT SAID WALL AND ABOVE SAID WELL FOR MOVEMENT BETWEEN TUBE DIPPED POSITION IN WHICH IT EXTENDS FORWARDLY DOWNWARDLY FROM ITS PIVOT INTO THE WELL FOR RECEPTION OF SOLUTION IN THE TUBE AND TUBE BLOWING POSITION IN WHICH SAID TUBE IS ELEVATED ABOVE SAID WELL AND ALIGNED WITH SAID MOUTH OPENING, SAID WALL HAVING 